Taylor Swift triumphs at CMAs

(Bang Showbiz)

Taylor Swift was named Entertainer of the Year at last night's Country Music Awards.

The 21-year-old singer became only the second woman to scoop the coveted prize twice - following in the footsteps of Barbara Mandrell - in recognition of her worldwide success and thanked fans for their support when she picked up the accolade.

She said: "This is thanks to all the fans who filled the stadiums and arenas all over the world this year.

"I am so happy we had so many to play for this year. You have made my year."

She later added: "To win Entertainer of the Year twice was like the coolest thing ever happening to me, happening twice."

The Band Perry picked up New Artist of the Year, while their crossover track 'If I Die Young' was named both Song and Single of the Year.

Singer Kimberly Perry - who as the writer of the track picked up the Song of the Year accolade alone - said: "We sort of feel like we are part of the country evangelism scene and we love to hear country songs on pop radio. It proved to be a song with really long legs."

Other winners at the event, which took place at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, included Jason Aldean, who took home Album of the Year for 'My Kinda Party' and Musical Event of the Year for 'Don't You Wanna Stay', his duet with Kelly Clarkson.

Lady Antebellum won Vocal Group of the Year for the third time in a row, while Sugarland continued their dominance in the Vocal Duo of the Year category, triumphing for the fifth consecutive year.

Blake Shelton - who opened the show with Kenny Loggins performing 'Footloose' - and his wife Miranda Lambert won Male and Female Vocalist of the Year respectively.

Performance highlights came when Alzheimer's disease-stricken Glen Campbell was honoured in a musical tribute when Vince Gill, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley sang three of his songs, while Lionel Richie teamed up with Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Little Big Town for renditions of tracks from his new album of country duets.